The Sword and Shield makes missions happen

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Everyone knows it takes a great cook to make an incredible creation, but without the folks getting the ingredients, that cake doesn’t happen.

The same is true of the Wyoming National Guard; we talked with the 153rd Logistics Readiness Squadron about their recipe for success.

The 153rd Logistic Readiness Squadron is the backbone of making the Wyoming Air National Guard work.

They prepare the vehicles and deliver supplies, medical, food, fuel or passengers in an emergency.

“As a whole, we all work together. So if there’s something like forest fires, they let us know when we go. We’re out there loading the C-130s with our Modular Airborne Firefighting System,” said SSgt. Kara Jakubsen, 153rd Airlift Wing.

Experts say the secret to being ready for crisis intervention is., “Processes, processes, processes. Systems and processes save the day every time all the time. We have created and generated process that are really robust and can handle any kind of crisis situation,” said MSgt. Matthew Edwards, Logistics Planner, Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Because of this, they can pack up and ship out to a disaster within 72 hours notice.

“Logistics is the backbone of the mis,sion making things happen getting things done. Working together with I can’t do attitude that allows one team one fight to really happen,” said Edwards.

The National Guard sent a team out recently to a flood in Worland, which threatened people and structures.

The team was there to create water boundaries and sandbags to protect everything of value.

“That was really when I really realized how important we are. How important the guard is to our community and how we are always there, always willing to help out whenever we can to save either personnel or property across the state,” said Maj. Anthony Munoz, Commander 153rd LRS-CC.

Service members say that what makes Wyoming great is that they feel embraced by the community, and it makes their jobs easier.

“We love being a part of the community because we’re really we are a part of it. We are next to you in the grocery store or next to you, driving on the next lane on the road across our state. And then we come, and we serve as a military members, and we also have that dual role to serve the federal piece too,” said Munoz.

Even though only one percent of Americans signed up to be part of the guard, it saw slumping recruitment over the pandemic but is now at 90% capacity.

“Being here I realized just how supportive this community is, and I mean that, and you can feel it, especially as a Public Affairs Officer. It makes my job easy,” said Maj. Mickey Fisher, P.A.O. Wyoming Air National Guard.

The National Guard says the people working behind the scenes make the missions a success before anyone faces an emergency.

Copyright 2023 KGWN. All rights reserved.